Jesus, our ideal High Priest

Heb. 7:25-8:6, Mk 3:7-12. Our life is a pilgrimage whose destiny lies beyond the horizons of this earth, but in those Heavenly places where Jesus has already gone “behind the veil.” Today's first reading presents us with a comparison and contrast about the Priesthood of Christ. The Levitical priests could only offer “shadow” sacrifices as symbols of the relationship between God and the people. They go into the Holy of Holies, the sanctuary of God to offer spiritual sacrifice to atone for their sins and that of others. In contrast, Jesus is the perfect High Priest who offers the perfect sacrifice of obedience in the perfect dwelling place of God in Heaven. Jesus, our High Priest: “undefiled, separated from sinners, higher than the heavens”, offers Himself to free us from the bondage of sin and the tyranny of death.

Jesus also freed many from their infirmity as recorded in today's Gospel. The enthusiasm of the crowd for Jesus is not a passing excitement. It is an echo of Heaven, where people from all nations unite in turning with love and loyalty and gratitude to Jesus. Like the crowds in the Gospel, we reach out to touch the Lord in our brokenness, recognising Him as the source of healing and life. The Lord is as available to us as He was to the crowds of Galilee; He remains our strength in weakness, healing in our brokenness, life in our various experiences of death. We can approach Him with the same confidence of being well received.

May the Lord grant us strength in our weakness and help us to walk in newness of life! Amen!! Stay safe and have a wonderful day!!!